Naval helicopter purchases may be Canada's worst program ever

CBC News reported yesterday that Canada's procurement of 28 CH-148 Cyclone helicopters was "doomed from the start." A confidential report urges the government to "sacrifice less important requirements" and give "relevant capability" to the RCAF.

The information was obtained from a confidential report obtained by CBC News on Sept. 4 and presented by Power and Politics host Evan Solomon.

A time line for the program published by Defense Industry Daily highlights all the delays to the program that have occurred and how costs have increased since 2000.

The report from Hitachi Consulting concludes "the government can get the problem-plagued program back on track by negotiating with primary supplier Sikorsky to "re-scope" the project's structure, specifications and delivery approach."

Whether this report impacts upon the $86 million fines already accrued by Sikorsky in penalties for failing to deliver the helicopters remains to be seen.

The report goes on to conclude the "project could be viable and operationally relevant with a new structure and governance model" as recommended.